Garden rhubarb(Rheum rhaponticum), also known as gardening, is one of over 20 species belonging to the knotweed family and the most common in native cultivation. Once eagerly grown on allotments, however, it has been somewhat forgotten in recent years. Perhaps because it is harvested and consumed for a very short period of time in the spring. Nevertheless, it is worth getting interested in it again and tempting to cultivate it, because rhubarb cake or rhubarb compote have a really unique and unique taste, known mainly from childhood. In addition, garden rhubarb is a low-trouble plant, perfect for growing on a plot.
Garden rhubarb
Growing rhubarb on the plot
Garden rhubarbis a perennial. Before planting, you should carefully consider which place to choose, because in one place rhubarb can grow up to 15 years. We must also take into account the target sizes of the plant, because they are quite significant (an adult rhubarb specimen can reach up to 1 m in diameter and about 1.5 m in height in the garden), although they may vary slightly depending on the variety.
The position of rhubarb cultivationshould be sunny (rhubarb yields better yields), but the plant also tolerates shade. Rhubarb also has no specific temperature requirements and is frost resistant. The first leaves ofof the early varieties of rhubarbbegin to develop very early in spring, just after the frost has subsided. In addition, after the beginning of vegetation, it can endure short-term temperature drops to a few degrees below 0 ° C without any damage.
Garden rhubarb , however, is a plant that is sensitive to the lack of moisture, so it should not be planted in easily dry soils, and should be watered regularly during dry spring. In addition, it is worth mulching the soil around the clumps, as this will help maintain adequate moisture and reduce the development of weeds. In the case of rhubarb, it is a particularly important treatment, as it is not recommended to use chemical weed control measures before the petioles are harvested.
Due to its long root system,rhubarb does not like wetlandswhere it can rot and become sick. The best soil for its cultivation is moist and fertile, deeply cultivated, alkaline to slightly acidic soils. It should be remembered that in soil with a pH below 6.0, it is worth liming the soil, otherwise the petioles may accumulate large amounts of harmful substances (e.g. oxalic acids).
Garden rhubarb
One of the most important treatments ingrowing rhubarbis removing flower sprouts as soon as they appear on the plant. The inflorescences grow in May, and if they are not removed, they weaken the stumps and worsen the yield and the suitability of the petioles for harvesting.
Harvesting and use of rhubarb
The harvest of rhubarblasts until the end of June. Although the plant continues to grow, much more harmful oxalate begins to accumulate in the petioles in summer than in spring.Oxalates leach calcium and can build up as calcium oxalate in the kidneys, causing kidney stones. Young rhubarb also has oxalates, but in very small amounts. Then other compounds, such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins B, E and C have the advantage. The high content of organic acids, such as apple, acetic or oxalic acids, is responsible for the sour taste of rhubarb.
Garden rhubarbcan be used in the kitchen in various ways. It is suitable for acidifying fruit juices and jams, it is a great addition to cakes and sweet pastries, but most of all it is eaten in the form of compote.
Petioles of rhubarb
How to make rhubarb compote?To prepare rhubarb compote, use approx. 1.5 l of water and approx. 5 tablespoons of sugar. However, the amount of sugar depends on our taste and we can add more or less, depending on whether we prefer sweeter or drier compote.Remove the leaves from the petioles and wash them under warm water. Then cut into small pieces, put them in a pot, pour water and sugar over it to taste, and then cook. If the tails fall apart, the compote is ready, usually after about 20 minutes of cooking over low heat. To spice up the taste of compote, you can add a mint leaf or your favorite spice to sweet dishes, e.g. cinnamon or cloves.
Rhubarb reproduction
Rhubarb reproduces in two ways:from seeds and by dividing mature carp. The first method, however, is not popular, because it is quite troublesome, and besides, daughter plants often do not retain the characteristics of the mother plant. Therefore, a much safer and more convenient method of reproduction isdivision of rhubarb carpThe treatment is performed in early spring or autumn, taking into account the climate in a given area. If the prevailing winters are frosty and severe, then spring is a better time to reproduce rhubarb (then we perform the treatment as early as possible, preferably in March), otherwise it is better to choose the autumn date (September - October).Planting rhubarb in autumn promotes the rooting of plants in autumn, which causes an early start to vegetation in the following year.
To prepare newrhubarb cuttings , take the stumps out of the ground and cut them open. You can use a spade, knife or pruning shears for this purpose. The resulting seedling should have several roots and at least one leaf bud. It is better to prepare the seedlings one day in advance, because at the time of planting, the cut places should be dry. We plant them in the ground until the bud is about 5 cm. below the ground. Although rhubarb is frost-resistant, it is good to cover young plants in the first 2-3 years, as low temperatures can damage them.
Due to the disappearance ofrhubarb cultivation in allotment gardens , obtaining plants of the above-mentioned varieties for reproduction from carp may be troublesome. Then it remains to be saved by cultivating seeds.Rhubarb seedsare sown in the seedbed in spring in the grooves 30 cm apart, to a depth of about 2.5 cm.The seedlings are transplanted permanently in the fall or spring of the following year. When transplanting, we make a selection because the plants from the seeds are not uniform. Harvesting will be possible from the 2nd or 3rd year of cultivation.
Varieties of rhubarb for growing on the plot
The petioles of rhubarb, depending on the variety, can be red, pink or green. However, those with a more intense color are tastier. Among thevarieties of rhubarbgrown in Poland, it is worth mentioning:
- rhubarb 'Hosera'- early, with pink flesh and greenish red petioles, not too sour,
- 'Karpow Lipskiego' rhubarb- early pink skin and green flesh of petioles,
- rhubarb 'Wiśniowy'- early, dark red petioles with good taste,
- 'Raspberry' rhubarb- late, red flesh and petioles, tasty but fibrous and susceptible to diseases,
- rhubarb 'Queen Viktoria'- early, green-tailed,
- rhubarb 'Holsteiner Blut'- early, with red stems and sweet taste.
Diseases and pest of rhubarb
Garden rhubarb , like many crops, can get sick and be attacked by pests. The most common disease in his case ispetiole rot and rhubarb carpThe cause of the disease can be both fungi and bacteria, which enter the plant through mechanical damage. Rhubarb can also attack fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, rust or leaf blotch. The most common pest on the plant is a beetle called kaldunica. However, any protection measures for rhubarb should be applied after the leaf harvest is completed.
Katarzyna Józefowicz
